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C. T. THORSSELL AND H. L. R. LUNDEN.

A PARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF NITROGEN PRODUCTS.

AFPLICAUON FILED AUG.13.1919.

PEN/OMEN 00$. 26, 1920.

mimoasw UND E R PRESSURE REA c'r'lom REACT mu CHAMBER C AMBER VVASTEGASES FKOH'REACTION L CHAMBER ufTnoa-zu UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE.

OF GOTTEN- BORG, SWEDEN, ASSIGNORS T0 AKTIEBOLAGET KVAFVEINDUSTRI, 0FGOTTEN..

BORG, SWEDEN.

APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF NITROGEN PRODUCTS.

App1ication filed. August 13, 1919.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CARL THEGDOR THORSSELL and HARALD Louvre RnINHoLDLUNDEN, citizens of Sweden, and residing at Gottenborg, Sweden, haveinvented a new and Improved Apparatus for the Production of NitrogenProducts, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription.

Our invention relates to an apparatus for the production of nitrogenproducts of the kind in which free nitrogen is introduced into a mixtureof coal and alkali metals or alkaline-earth metals or their combinationsand absorbed by this mixture at a high temperature while forming cyanid.In this process the Velocity, at which the nitrogen is fixed, will bevery great if the nitrogen is introduced under so high a pressure, 2'.6., in such a quantity in relation to the solid mass in the reactionchamber, that the partial pressure of the nitrogen at the end of thereaction is still rather high. As the total pressure in the reactionchamber during the reaction is essentially raised on account of thecarbon monoxid formed and also the mixture of gases in the reactionchamber partly has a very high temperature and for the most partconsists of a combustible gas, v'iz., carbon monoxid, it is naturallyvery important in factory working that the energy of these gases shouldbe utilized in the best possible manner, .and the present inventionrelates to a means for this purpose.

In order to utilize the gas existent in the reaction chamber at the endof the reaction as completely as possible, it is according to theinvention led to an engine working expansively, in which it is broughtto do work by its pressure and during expansion. The exhaust gases fromthis engine, which latter, of course, may be used for differentpurposes, are then carried to a combustion englue or a gas burner,wherein they render additional energy. It is evident that a part of thegases taken from the reaction chamber in this way suitably may be usedfor pumping the necessary nitrogen into the reaction chamber before thebeginning of the reaction.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawing showing a diagram ofa form of the invention.

The nitrogen is supplied to the reaction Specification of LettersPatent.

Patented Oct. 26, 1920.

Serial No. 317,185.

chamber 1, which is covered by a bad heat conductor, through the pipe 2connected with a branch pipe 3, through which the gases leave thereaction chamber after the reaction is finished. This branch pipe 3 isconnected with an engine 4 working expansively and suitably arranged todrive a pump 5 for forcing the nitrogen under pressure through the pipes9 and'2 to the reaction chamber 1. The gases having done work in the engne l pass through the pipe 6 to a combustion engine or gas burner of aknown type, wherein they are fully utilized. The pipes 2, 3 and 9 areoff devices 7 8 and 10. In the form shown are two reaction chambersWorking alternately in such a way that the gas passing provided withshuttingfrom one of them is used for compressing the'nitrogenin theother one. The engine working expansively and the pump may of coursealso be connected with several reaction chambers.

If a certain quantityof nitrogen is inclosed 1n the reaction chamber andno fresh nitrogen is introduced, the reaction will take place quicker atthe beginning on account of the higher concentration and then slower,while the partial pressure of the nitrogen is reduced according as thenitrogen is fixed in the mass. Therefore it is advantageous to introduceso large a quantity of nitrogen at the beginning of the reaction thatits partial pressure at the end of the reaction is still rather high. Iffor instance 2 volumes of nitrogen of a pressure of 1 atm. is pressedinto the reaction chamber under such circumstances that they thereattain a pressure of 15 atm. at the temperature prevailing in thereaction chamber, and if the apparatus contains so large a quantity ofsolid mass that it is able to fix 1 volume (counted at 1 atm.), z. 6.,half of the nitrogen introduced, it is evident that 1 volume (counted at1 atm.) of nitrogen will remain after the reaction has been finished andthen 3 volumes of carbonic oxid are made free, as follows:

M6 00, to 2N-+2MeCN 300,

if Me indicates an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal. The totalpressure in the apparatus is then 30 atm. as it contains a quantity ofgas corresponding to 4 volumes at 1 atm. The accumulation of the gasesgenerated by the reaction does of course not interfere with thepractical working of the cyanid process, as there is always a surplus ofnitrogen present also at the end of the reaction.

Thus by means of the apparatus described the pressure of the departinggases and their heat of combustion are utilized in the highest possibledegree.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent 1. Apparatus for the production of nitrogenproducts in which nitrogen under pressure is introduced into a reactionchamber containing a mixture of coal and material capable of furnishingthe metal base of the product and absorbed by this mixture at a hightemperature, said reaction chamber being connected with an engineworking expansively and driven by the gases present in the reactionchamber at the end of the reaction, the exhaust pipe of the engine beingconnected with a combustion engine or the like for a further utilizationof said gases.

2. Apparatus for the production of nitrogen products in which nitrogenunder pressure is introduced into a reaction chamber containing amixture of coal and material capable of furnishing the metal base of theproduct and absorbed by this mixture at a high temperature, saidreaction chamber being connected with an engine working expansively anddriven by the gases present in the reaction chamber at the end of thereaction, said engine being connected with a pump, the delivery pipe ofwhich is con nected with the reaction chamber for the purpose ofintroducing nitrogen under pressure in said vessel.

3. Apparatus for the production of nitrogen products in which nitrogenunder pres sure is introduced into reaction chambers containing amixture of coal and material ca pable of furnishing the metal base ofthe product and absorbed by this mixture at a high temperature, saidreaction chambers being connected with an engine working expansively anda pump driven by said engine in such a way that the gases leaving one ofthe reaction chambers are used for compressing the nitrogen in anotherone.

4. Apparatus for the production of nitrogen products in which nitrogenunder pres sure is introduced into a reaction chamber containing amixture of coal and material capable of furnishing the metal base of theproduct and absorbed by this mixture at a high temperature, saidreaction chamber be ing connected with an engine working eX- pansivelyand driven by the gases present in the reaction chamber at the end ofthe reaction.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our names to this specification inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CARL THEODGR THORSSELL. HARALD LUDVIG REINHOLD LUNBEN.

Witnesses: v EINAR T. ANDERSON, Gr. BRANZELL.

